1. HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER Matthew Johnson Archaeology, School of Humanities University of Southampton m.h.johnson@soton.ac.uk

2. Structure of Talk University Archaeology today What Universities require of their staff What it is like to be a lecturer How to acquire the skills and get the job

3. University Archaeology today Fewer than 30 depts in UK (c.28 members of SCFA): a small world Varies widely in rest of world (N America; Europe; Australia) UK depts quite similar (8-25 posts, scores at RAE): not as divided as e.g. History

5. Key Changes/Drivers to Staff Recruitment Recession… Student numbers stable/declining Research Evaluation Framework Themed funding/impacts League tables Increasing nos. of posts in new Universities (Heritage, Conservation)

6. Key Priorities of a Lecturer Teaching Research (grants, publications, students) Administration/leadership NB. Priorities between these are not always explicit (your HoD is not a trained manager) Stress results from trying to juggle these Key skill therefore is setting priorities, having a personal plan and sticking to it

7. Whats It Like? Two Myths Universities are ivory towers Lecturers are underpaid and overburdened Lecturers do work long hours, but out of choice: most enjoy what they do (Lecturer minimum £27183 plus pay rise)

8. Typical Day of Junior Lecturer Prepare and give 1-2 lectures See personal tutees/deal with knocks on door Staff or sub-group meeting Seminars, other group events Usually a day/week at home, to do research Also 14 weeks vacation

9. Good reasons for being a lecturer Passionate about archaeology Enjoy researching and writing Like performing (not just lectures)

10. Bad reasons for being a lecturer To get down with the kids Primary aim to teach Didnt want a stressful job Because everyone expects it/high status

11. How to get there: Choose the Right PhD Supervisor NOT the most popular lecturer Committed to you Politically savvy: will use their contacts for you Senior/on their way to being senior

12. Get the Right Skills Have more than one string to your bow Give papers; network (not just at TAG) Do some teaching; try to lead in this area Be aware of general state of archaeology Get the PhD finished!

13. Post-Docs: Publish, Publish, Publish

14. www.jobs.ac.uk www.jobs.ac.uk Times Higher Education Supplement The Guardian (Tuesdays) www.saa.org Where to Look for Jobs

15. Read the Job Specs. A legal requirement No hidden agendas BUT written by other lecturers, not managers Ask yourself: would I want to work with this person?

16. Selection Process Advert Job Description Shortlisting References (less important) Presentation Interview

17. Presentation/Interview Show youve thought about the Department and University Possible colleagues: links Be a team player, but not a doormat Be relentlessly positive Be yourself!

18. Afterwards… Thank them! Be assertive (but not aggressive) in getting feedback